IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,026,497
Granted Patent B2
US 11,026,497 · App. 16/274,734 · Granted Jun 8, 2021

Compact mirror

Inventors: Frank Yang (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA); Di-Fong Chang (Torrance, CA); Guy Cohen (Marina Del Rey, CA)
Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
A45D42/10A45C11/24A45D42/04F21V33/004
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,026,497
App. No.
16/274,734
Granted
Jun 8, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mirror system can include a mirror assembly and a protective portion, such as a holder or cover. A mirror assembly can include a housing portion, a mirror, a light source, a light conveying channel, and an orienting structure. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a component interaction actuator, such as a switch, configured to automatically activate or deactivate when two components in the mirror system interact or cease interacting. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly is configured to turn on upon removal of at least a portion of the mirror assembly from at least a portion of the protective portion and to turn off upon at least a portion of the mirror assembly being received by at least a portion of the protective portion. In some embodiments, a user can hold the mirror assembly and use the orienting structure as a finger-retaining portion. In some embodiments, the user can use the orienting structure as a stand for the mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the user can use the protective portion as a stand for the mirror assembly.

Claims (31)

1. A mirror system comprising:

a protective portion;

a mirror assembly configured to be at least partially received by or in contact with the protective portion in a first stage and completely separable from the protective portion in a second stage, the mirror assembly comprising:

a housing portion;

a mirror coupled with the housing portion;

a light source;

a light conveying channel; and

an actuator configured to activate or deactivate the light source when in the second stage there is relative movement between at least a portion of the mirror assembly and at least a portion of the protective portion.

2. The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein the protective portion is a holder.

3. The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein the mirror assembly comprises a securing portion configured to engage a receiving portion.

4. The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein the protective portion comprises a securing portion and/or a receiving portion.

5. The mirror system of claim 4 , wherein the securing portion is a snap fastener.

6. The mirror system of claim 4 , wherein the securing portion is a zipper.

7. The mirror system of claim 4 , wherein the securing portion is a magnet.

8. The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein the protective portion is a pouch.

9. The mirror system of claim 8 , wherein the pouch comprises front and rear sides with solid surfaces.

10. The mirror system of claim 9 , wherein each of the front and rear sides do not include any openings.

11. The mirror system of claim 9 , wherein each of the front and rear sides do not include any openings of sufficient size to permit damaging or otherwise impairing contact with the mirror.

12. The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein in the first stage the protective portion encloses the mirror assembly on at least a front side or a rear side.

13. The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein in the first stage the protective portion encloses the mirror assembly on at least a front side and a rear side.

14. The mirror system of claim 1 , further comprising a securing portion that removably secures the protective portion to the mirror assembly.

15. The mirror system of claim 1 , further comprising a tab on the mirror assembly that is accessible to the user for pulling the mirror assembly away from the protective portion.

16. The mirror system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a reed switch.

17. A method of using a mirror system, the method comprising:

removing at least a portion of a mirror assembly comprising a front side and a rear side, the front side comprising a mirror, from at least a portion of a holder, the mirror assembly turning on upon at least partial removal from the holder;

viewing a reflection;

returning at least a portion of the mirror assembly to at least a portion of the holder, the mirror assembly turning off upon being at least partially received by the holder, wherein the holder is configured such that when the mirror assembly is completely received by the holder, the holder encloses the mirror assembly on at least the front side of the mirror assembly.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of removing at least a portion of the mirror assembly from at least a portion of the holder comprises completely separating the mirror assembly from the holder.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the holder is a pouch.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the pouch comprises solid front and rear surfaces.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the mirror assembly further comprises an actuator, the actuator comprising a reed switch.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2021
From: YANG, FRANK; CHANG, DI-FONG; COHEN, GUY
To: SIMPLEHUMAN, LLC
Reel/Frame 056083/0582 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62630788 · Feb 14, 2018
Provisional Application 62640147 · Mar 8, 2018
Related Publication 20190246772A1 · Aug 15, 2019
Cited By (10)
US 1,059,051 US 1,063,410 US 12,225,999 US 12,232,217 US 12,313,253 US 12,329,268 US 12,376,668 US 12,396,577 US 12,642,372 US 12,672,727